Overview
Key facts
- Duration:4 nights
- Suitable for: Anybody aged 4 years or over (younger children may join the holiday, but may not be able to participate in all the activities). Please see terms for details
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What's included?
- Flights: London Heathrow to Kuusamo via Helsinki. Regional departures on request. Flight routes subject to change
- Transfers: return airport transfers
- Accommodation: 4 nights’ accommodation in a two-bedroom apartment
- Meals: 4 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch and 4 Dinners
- The following activities are included in the holiday: ice fishing, snowmobiling under the stars, visit to a reindeer farm and short reindeer sleigh ride, snowmobile sledge ride under the stars with kota dinner, scenic snowmobile safari, visit to a husky farm and 5km husky safari, Angry Birds Activity Park entrance for one day (order subject to change)
- Cold weather clothing for the duration of your stay
- Fully qualified guides and instructors during activities
Kuusamo is an exceptionally popular holiday destination for families and a charming area of Lapland to visit. The magical wilderness, which you will discover during your activities, is bound to enhance the imagination of children as it includes some truly adventurous experiences. Imagine sledging under the dark starlit skies or visiting the lovable huskies before they take you on an unforgettable journey through the deep snow. Younger children, in particular, will delight in a visit to the reindeer farm to make friends with these majestic native animals.
The region surrounding Kuusamo is known for its unspoilt, natural charm which is characterised by fragrant forests, idyllic lakes and snowy plains. The panoramic views from the top of the fells stretch across the land, providing glimpses of the Russian border on a clear day.
During your stay in Kuusamo, you will be based at the charming and family-orientated Kuusamon Tropiikki Hotel, staying in a delightful apartment. This cosy haven on the edge of a snowy wilderness provides an array of facilities that can be enjoyed during your adventures, including a fantastic swimming pool and soft play area.
This magical and insightful family holiday is sure to provide long-lasting memories for both children and parents as you experience the very best of Kuusamo in the heart of Finnish Lapland.
©Vastavelo and Keikki Ketola, Visit Finland, Lisa Walker
Agenda
Agenda
Show full agenda-
Day 1 Flights, Arrivals and Introductions
You will be greeted at the airport before being transferred directly to your accommodation in Kuusamo.
Upon arrival at your accommodation, you will have the opportunity to unwind and settle into your new surroundings before enjoying a welcome dinner.
Included Meals: Dinner -
Day 2 Ice Fishing and Snowmobile Under The Stars
After breakfast, you will be transferred to a nearby lake via car. You will then strap on the snowshoes and begin a refreshing walk through the stunning terrain to another frozen lake not far from the drop off point. At this point your knowledgeable guide will introduce you to the local art of ice fishing, providing a helping hand before families compete against one another to locate the biggest catch. You will be out for approximately three hours.
Once the fishing trip is over you will return to your hotel with plenty of opportunities to use the fun-filled facilities.
As darkness descends you will enjoy an evening meal at the hotel restaurant before undertaking a magical snowmobile journey under the stars. You will be whisked away into the dark and shining night, following your guide far away from the street lights that may obscure your vision of the sparkling stars. Keep an eye on the Northern skies and hopefully, the Northern Lights will make an appearance for you tonight.
Tonight’s safari will last for approximately two hours, covering 25-30km. You will ride two people per snowmobile and drivers must be aged 18 or over with a full driver’s licence. Children under 140cm in height will travel in a sledge pulled by the guide’s snowmobile.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner -
Day 3 Reindeer Farm and Starlit Snowmobile Sledge Ride with Kota Dinner
A leisurely breakfast and a morning of relaxation in your hotel are followed by an adventurous trip to visit the native Reindeers of Lapland. Everyone will gain insight into the life of these majestic animals before enjoying a short sleigh ride, pulled through the snowy woods by one of Rudolph’s closest friends. Following this, you'll enjoy sausages and hot drinks in the nearby traditional kota, while the reindeer herder shares stories about his life.
You will have some free time to enjoy back at the hotel before heading out for an evening of adventure. Hopping onto a sledge pulled by your guide's snowmobile, you will journey into the darkened night on a magical sled ride under the starlit sky. As you whizz through the vast wilderness surrounding Kuusamo, keep an eye on the Northern skies and, with any luck, you may seek out the Northern Lights.
Dinner will be served in a traditional wilderness kota tonight.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner -
Day 4 Scenic Snowmobile Safari And Husky Farm Visit with Husky Safari
You will wake up and enjoy another hearty breakfast at your Kuusamo hotel before beginning the day with a scenic snowmobile safari through the deep snow and enchanting forests of this winter wonderland. Experience the untouched beauty of the most breathtaking areas of Kuusamo and Ruka on this family orientated trip which is perfect for beginners and younger children. You will cover approximately 30km on this three-hour trip. A picnic lunch in a wilderness hut is included along the way. You will ride two people per snowmobile and drivers must be aged 18 or over with a full driver’s licence. Children under 140cm in height will travel in a sledge pulled by the guide’s snowmobile.
Following on from your morning of excitement with snowmobiles, you will then visit a husky farm where you’ll have the chance to meet the lovable huskies, who are eager to make new friends. These native dogs are as excited as anybody when it comes to adventure and you'll see how much they love running as you sledge along the snowy tracks on a 5km dog sledding safari. A small snack will be provided during which time you will listen to interesting stories explaining the life of a husky in Finland. You will ride two per sled, with a chance to swap drivers along the way. Children will be seated in the sledge.
Once the tour is over you will return to the hotel and enjoy a relaxed final evening in your cosy Kuusamo accommodation.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner -
Day 5 Departure
Sadly, your time in this wonderful region has come to an end and, after breakfast, you will return to the airport with an abundance of magical family memories.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation
Accommodation
Included in price
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Kuusamon Tropiikki
Nights: 1-4
The Kuusamon Tropiikki Hotel is situated on the outskirts of the town of Kuusamo, ensuring a warming oasis nestled amidst magnificent landscapes in Finnish Lapland. The hotel is an ideal family base with plenty to enjoy both inside and outside the hotel.
Hotel facilities
- One of the main attractions for families is the wonderful pool area. The pool complex includes a 45-metre water slide, a pool for young children, a waterfall, water jet massage stations, two hot tubs and a resistance current river. There is also a wonderful sauna complex to enjoy
- The hotel is connected to the Angry Birds Activity Park, which is a huge hit with families
- Breakfast is served at the hotel and usually consist of a buffet of international cuisine with some Finnish options for guests to try
- The hotel has three restaurants and so if you want something outside of your inclusive meals you can try Café Piazza, the Mango Restaurant or the Sports Bar which offer a variety of snacks and food
- There is a small shop in the main reception area which sells tea and coffee, as well as other snacks and drinks
Petäjälammenranta Apartments
The hotel has several modern, small-scale apartment blocks, which are located a short walk away from the main hotel building, amongst the trees (approximately 350-450 metres).
Recently built, each apartment block has a lower and upper floor, with external entrances to each individual apartment. The apartments have two bedrooms: one with a double bed, which can be made into two single beds and one with two single beds. There is also a sofa bed in the sitting room, which can comfortably accommodate two children or one adult.
Each apartment has excellent amenities, including wood-burning stove (with firewood provided), wet room and private sauna (with hair dryer), drying cabinet, washing facilities, a small but well-equipped kitchenette (with kettle), additional toilet and sink, TV and free Wi-Fi.
Meals are served in the main hotel building and linen, towels and end of stay cleaning are included.
Full pool access is provided for guests throughout. Pool towels can be rented poolside for €6 or guests can simply use the towels from their accommodation.
Dates & Prices
We include more, no hidden costs

Price per person based on two adults sharing an apartment.
Dates
Dates | |||
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Sat 15 Feb 2020
to Wed 19 Feb 2020 |
Adult price (per person): £1695.00 | Children (4-11 years): £995.00 | Book |
Next season’s pre-sale dates and prices
To secure your holiday for next season, you can make a pre-reservation by paying a deposit of only £50pp. The provisional prices, departure dates, and itinerary remain subject to change. We will contact you when final details are confirmed, and you will have 14 days to decide if you would like to go ahead. Should you wish to proceed then a further deposit (typically of £350pp) will be payable at this stage. If you decide not to travel, we will refund your initial £50pp payment. Our Travel Experts will happily provide you with full terms and a complete quotation.
Dates | |||
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Sat 13 Feb 2021
to Wed 17 Feb 2021 |
Adult price (per person): £1815.00 | Children (4-11 years): £1065.00 | Enquire |
Terms
Terms
For our full booking terms and conditions please click here
Holiday group size (approximate)
Minimum 8 people and maximum 30 (approximately)
Group size
We always try to provide an approximation of the group size you can expect to be with for the duration of each of our holidays. It may be that you are joined by others for parts of your holiday (such as transfers and particular activities) but the above number reflects those you can normally expect to be with from beginning to end. If group size is something which is particularly important to you, please speak to our Travel Experts and they can suggest the best holidays for you.
Tailor-made holiday group sizes will vary for all activities as will the group size for any additional activities you book.
Minimum numbers required for a holiday to operate
Some of our holidays require a minimum number of participants to operate (as listed in the ‘Group Size’ section). If your holiday departure has not yet reached the minimum number, you will be told at the time of booking. In the unlikely event that your chosen date is not guaranteed by nine weeks before your scheduled departure date, we will contact you to discuss the available options as per our booking conditions.
Itinerary amendments
The order of activities is always subject to change and you will be provided with your final itinerary upon arrival at your destination.
Single supplement
Please note that some of our holidays may incur a single supplement. Please speak to one of our Travel Experts who will provide you with a quotation.
Medical history and advice
We want our holidays to be accessible as they can be and will do our best to accommodate any special requests and requirements where possible. We have a wide range of holidays and destinations and so our travel experts will help find the best holiday for you.
In order to give us the best possible chance to do this we ask that if you or any member of your party has any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday or has any special requirements, that you tell us at the time of enquiry or booking. You must also promptly advise us if any medical condition or disability which may affect your holiday develops after your booking has been confirmed. You may need to provide a doctor’s note and proof of insurance in some cases as the health and safety of our clients is absolutely paramount.
In providing this information you are allowing us to work with our expert local partners to ensure that your whole party can enjoy the holiday. By letting us know in advance we can discreetly work with you to adapt any part of the holiday which may potentially be challenging. Being able to prepare for this in advance makes an incredible difference to what we can offer and minimises any impact on your party and the rest of the group.
Unfortunately, if you choose not to share this information with us in advance then it may limit some or all of the itinerary you have booked, and we cannot be held accountable for any additional costs or missed activities resulting from this.
Pregnancy
If you are pregnant at the time of booking your holiday or you discover you are pregnant prior to your departure, firstly – congratulations! Secondly – please tell us as soon as possible. This situation does arise, and we are able to advise you both from our own first-hand experience and from discussing this at length with our expert local partners who have experience in this area. The more notice you can give us the better, in order to suggest any adaptions to the itinerary you have booked which will reduce the risk to both mother and baby. Please contact our customer service team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.
Insurance
Insurance is not included in your holiday, but it is a pre-requisite to travelling with us. You will need to ensure that you have cover for all the activities that you will be participating in during your holiday.
It is extremely important that you take out a suitable travel insurance policy at the time of booking. Plans do sometimes change, and you will need this policy should you need to cancel your holiday.
If you are struggling to find a suitable policy then details of our preferred provider, who will cover you for all the activities we offer, can be found on our website by clicking here. Please note that this policy is available to EU residents under the age of 75 only.
Reduced mobility
If you have a reduced level of mobility, then please contact our travel experts to discuss the suitability of this holiday in relation to your requirements.
Experience and fitness
Most of the activities we offer have been designed for beginners who have no prior experience and are of all age ranges and fitness levels. Our guides provide expert advice, tuition and instructions prior to any activity going ahead. Activities are designed to be enjoyed and not endured, but some, do require a more basic level of fitness than others. If you have any questions, then please contact one of our Travel Experts who can provide first-hand advice.
The only holidays which are not as suitable for complete beginners are the multi-night safaris which involve several days in wilderness cabins travelling by either snowmobile or husky safari. Again, this all depends on the individual taking part, but some prior experience and understanding of these types of activities can be very helpful and a greater level of fitness is recommended.
Guides & Safety
When partaking in any activity, it is imperative that everyone in your group listens very closely to the instructions provided by the guide and that they are abided by at all times. Our guides are experts in their field and no one knows the environment better than these highly knowledgeable and experienced providers.
Prior to starting any activity, please make it clear to your guide if there is any element of the safety briefing you are unsure of or would like to clarify before you set off.
Our guides will always take local conditions into account when considering whether an activity can go ahead. This is, in part, why your itinerary is subject to change at short notice. This rarely happens, however, if it does, we will always endeavour to reschedule the activity for later in your holiday. If this is not possible then the cost of the activity will be refunded to you when you return home.
Our guides' word on activities is always final and your safety is their principal concern at all times; please respect their decisions. By following their instructions, your safety and enjoyment during each activity will be greatly enhanced.
NB: In order to participate in our holidays, all guests must be able to understand instructions given in English. These instructions may be delivered verbally or in writing and will include vital safety information and ongoing instruction during activities.
Minimum and Maximum Age
The minimum age for this holiday can be found in the ‘Key Facts’ section of the holiday overview.
Younger family members may be able to participate but may not be able to take part in all activities. Please contact one of our Travel Experts if you have any questions.
Booking activities locally and equipment hire
Additional activities can be booked locally in almost all our destinations. However, as per our booking conditions, we cannot be held responsible for any injury or loss incurred through participation in activities which are booked at your destination outside of our holiday itinerary (see our ‘Terms and Conditions’ for further details).
When arranging any such activity please always ensure that safety is your primary concern.
In some of our destinations, you can borrow or hire equipment for use in your free time. You do so entirely at your own risk. You must ensure that you are properly prepared, have the necessary equipment and knowledge (maps, etc) and ensure that where applicable, you follow marked routes. We recommend discussing your plans with the local teams who will be able to advise on the most suitable options for you.
Always let the reception/guide know where you are planning to go and take a torch and mobile phone (with the hotel/guide’s phone number stored). It is also a good idea to leave your contact number and the time you expect to return to the hotel should the hotel need to contact you.
Car hire
If your trip includes car hire the named driver must have a credit card registered in their name which they can present when they collect their car along with their driving licence, as a deposit will be held on the credit card. Please see your trip dossier for full details.
Travel Safety and Foreign Office Advice
Our clients’ safety is at the centre of everything we do, and our operations team continually assesses and monitors the destinations we feature. We carry out thorough risk assessments and work closely with all of our suppliers to continually follow best practice. For up to date travel advice the UK government offers its Travel Aware website as well as the advice detailed below.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice
We receive all updates from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) with regards to travel advice and we always ensure that we follow this advice in our operations. The FCO issues travel advisories for countries based on a very wide range of factors. They may provide notification about things as simple as a football match and crowds, or they may go so far as to advise against all travel to a region. We ask all our clients to refer to the relevant Travel Advice by Country for the destinations they are visiting in order to make an informed decision on the safety of the destination based on the details provided. It also provides vital information regarding entry requirements, embassy information, local laws and customs as well as specific safety and health. Guests should take responsibility for keeping themselves up to date with this advice. Please also ensure that, if you are transiting through another country, you have read the advice and meet the entry requirements for that destination too.
The FCO travel advice is applicable to British Passport Holders. Most governments will issue their own travel advice for a region and, if you are not a UK resident then you can find some helpful links below:
Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/ New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/ Canadian Consular Affairs Bureau http://voyage.gc.ca/ The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/english.html
If the FCO deems that there is an unacceptable level of risk for UK citizens then, together with the government, they may issue an advisory against all travel to a region or country. If such an advisory is published, then we will act accordingly, and this may require the cancellation, curtailment or amendment of a holiday itinerary. These decisions are made on the basis of ensuring our clients’ safety and will affect all clients on the holiday, regardless of their nationality.
If one of our local experts suggests an amendment due to a situation which develops locally then we may also take the decision to amend an itinerary appropriately.
If we have to cancel your holiday prior to departure you will be offered the option of an alternative trip (where any price difference will either be refunded to or covered by you) or a full refund of the monies paid.
If we have to curtail a holiday, then you will be refunded for any costs for the elements we have been unable to deliver, where we have been able to secure a refund from our suppliers. If we must reroute a holiday, then any basis for refund is determined on a case by case basis and dependent on whether the central holiday experience was provided or not.
Flight schedule changes and connecting transportation
On your documentation, we will confirm your flight schedule. Sometimes the flight number, routing and timings might change prior to your departure. If the change is classed as a significant change then we will contact you to discuss this. Please see our booking conditions for details.
Flight schedule changes can impact on your pre and post-holiday travel arrangements if these have been booked separately to your holiday. We strongly recommend that you do not book transport (such as trains or transfers), car parking or non-connecting flights to the departure point for your holiday until you have received your final confirmed travel times when your final travel documents are issued. We are not responsible for the effect of any schedule change on your pre or post travel arrangements. We strongly recommend that you do not purchase non-flexible or non-refundable tickets to avoid cancellation and penalty charges.
Booking your own flights - cancellation disclaimer
If you have chosen to book your own flights, then you will need to wait until we confirm to you that the holiday departure has met the minimum numbers required to run (if applicable to your chosen holiday). Once the holiday is guaranteed to run, you will be informed and you can then make your arrangements.
If transfers are included in your holiday, please ensure that any potential flights will be met by our standard transfers (speak to one of our Travel Experts for advice) otherwise private transfer supplements may be applicable. Once your flights are booked, please send us a copy of your detailed flight itinerary.
Please be aware that most tickets are non-refundable in the case of cancellation. For this reason, we strongly advise you check the rules of the ticket and check the limitations of your cancellation insurance before booking. We cannot be held liable, in the unlikely eventuality that we should be forced to cancel or amend your trip, for losses incurred relating to any flight booking you have made.
Children and snowmobiles
For safety reasons, children under the age of 16 will typically travel in a sledge pulled behind the guides’ snowmobile on any snowmobile tours. From approximately 15 years onwards, children may be allowed to ride pillion on the back of a parent’s snowmobile. The guide will make a decision on the day as to where each individual child shall travel, and this may depend on the child’s height and the guide’s confidence in their ability to travel safely as a pillion for the duration of any safari. The guide’s decisions are final.
The driver of a snowmobile must be 18 years or over and have a valid driving licence. If an adult is unable to share a snowmobile with either a child or another adult in their party, they will be required to pay a single snowmobile supplement as all prices are based on two people sharing.
Reviews
Traveller Reviews
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The Best of Lapland at half-term 11 February 2017 by The Davies Family
Guides were very welcoming and went out of their way to accommodate any requests, making the trip very memorable. The visits to the reindeer & husky farms were interesting and great fun.